Edinburgh Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour of Old Town
by Enthral Experiences
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.£36Overview
The tour begins on foot outside St Giles' Cathedral, where the guide explains the history of St. Giles, Mary Queen of Scots, and John Knox, including why spitting on the floor in Parliament Square is traditional. Walking along the Royal Mile, participants hear the story of the North Berwick Witches while looking toward East Lothian. The group then moves to Lady Stairs House, a hidden courtyard where tales of grim events and Scotland's National Poet are shared. Next, the guide recounts the origins of Edinburgh and more witch-related stories near Edinburgh Castle. Visitors stop by the Witches Well to learn about another accused witch. From a vantage point overlooking a famous street, the guide tells a story about a warlock. The tour continues to Victoria Street, where the life of a notorious local figure is described in detail. The walk concludes at Grassmarket, the historic site of public executions and the starting point of the story of ‘Half-Hangit Maggie,’ one of Edinburgh’s well-known characters. This fully guided walking tour lasts about 70 to 75 minutes and includes storytelling by a professional character guide covering Edinburgh's Old Town and its haunted past.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
St Giles' Cathedral
The guide explains the history of St. Giles and shares facts about Mary Queen of Scots and John Knox. The reason behind spitting on the floor in Parliament Square is also revealed. This stop lasts about 10 minutes.
10 min
Royal Mile
Looking down the Royal Mile toward East Lothian, the guide tells the story of the North Berwick Witches during this 5-minute stop.
5 min
Lady Stairs House
In this tucked-away courtyard, participants hear grim historical accounts and stories about Scotland’s National Poet. This stop takes about 10 minutes.
10 min
Edinburgh Castle
Visitors learn how Edinburgh was established and hear additional witch-related stories near the castle during a 10-minute visit.
10 min
Witches well
At this lesser-known site, the guide shares the story of another unfortunate witch in a 5-minute stop.
5 min
Drive-by
From an elevated viewpoint, the guide recounts a shocking tale about a warlock during a 5-minute stop.
5 min
Victoria Street
On the cobbles of Victoria Street, the life story of one of Edinburgh’s most infamous characters is told over 10 minutes.
10 min
Grassmarket
The tour concludes at Grassmarket, where public executions took place and the story of ‘Half-Hangit Maggie’ began, with a 15-minute stop.
15 min
Meeting point
Meet outside Caffé Nero, 1 Parliament Square on the Royal Mile. Arrive 5-10 minutes early to check in for your tour. We are unable to provide refunds for no-shows. If you anticipate running late, please contact us as soon as possible.
End point
The tour will finish at Grassmarket.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Edinburgh Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour of Old Town
by Enthral Experiences
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.£36Overview
The tour begins on foot outside St Giles' Cathedral, where the guide explains the history of St. Giles, Mary Queen of Scots, and John Knox, including why spitting on the floor in Parliament Square is traditional. Walking along the Royal Mile, participants hear the story of the North Berwick Witches while looking toward East Lothian. The group then moves to Lady Stairs House, a hidden courtyard where tales of grim events and Scotland's National Poet are shared. Next, the guide recounts the origins of Edinburgh and more witch-related stories near Edinburgh Castle. Visitors stop by the Witches Well to learn about another accused witch. From a vantage point overlooking a famous street, the guide tells a story about a warlock. The tour continues to Victoria Street, where the life of a notorious local figure is described in detail. The walk concludes at Grassmarket, the historic site of public executions and the starting point of the story of ‘Half-Hangit Maggie,’ one of Edinburgh’s well-known characters. This fully guided walking tour lasts about 70 to 75 minutes and includes storytelling by a professional character guide covering Edinburgh's Old Town and its haunted past.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
St Giles' Cathedral
The guide explains the history of St. Giles and shares facts about Mary Queen of Scots and John Knox. The reason behind spitting on the floor in Parliament Square is also revealed. This stop lasts about 10 minutes.
10 min
Royal Mile
Looking down the Royal Mile toward East Lothian, the guide tells the story of the North Berwick Witches during this 5-minute stop.
5 min
Lady Stairs House
In this tucked-away courtyard, participants hear grim historical accounts and stories about Scotland’s National Poet. This stop takes about 10 minutes.
10 min
Edinburgh Castle
Visitors learn how Edinburgh was established and hear additional witch-related stories near the castle during a 10-minute visit.
10 min
Witches well
At this lesser-known site, the guide shares the story of another unfortunate witch in a 5-minute stop.
5 min
Drive-by
From an elevated viewpoint, the guide recounts a shocking tale about a warlock during a 5-minute stop.
5 min
Victoria Street
On the cobbles of Victoria Street, the life story of one of Edinburgh’s most infamous characters is told over 10 minutes.
10 min
Grassmarket
The tour concludes at Grassmarket, where public executions took place and the story of ‘Half-Hangit Maggie’ began, with a 15-minute stop.
15 min
Meeting point
Meet outside Caffé Nero, 1 Parliament Square on the Royal Mile. Arrive 5-10 minutes early to check in for your tour. We are unable to provide refunds for no-shows. If you anticipate running late, please contact us as soon as possible.
End point
The tour will finish at Grassmarket.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.